2010-11 Predictions for Ovechkin

After Alex Ovechkin put up a jaw-dropping 528 shots on goal two years ago, few would have thought that he would’ve taken a career-low 368 last season while maintaining a better scoring pace than the previous season.

Going into his sixth NHL season, Ovechkin, 25, is still in his prime, and we predict that – overall – he will have the best season of his career in 2010/2011. Specifically:

Games: 74 (72 last season) His days of playing all 82 are over.Goals: 55 (50 last season) Assists: 62 (59 last season) A career high.Points: 117 (109 last season) A career high.Plus/Minus: +50 (+45 last season) Another career high.Penalty Minutes: 75 (89 last season)Hits: 190 (185 last season)Blocks: 25 (20 last season)SHG: 0 (0 last season)Shots on Goal: 400 (368 last season)
GW: 9 (7 last season)PPG: 15 (13 last season)PPA: 25 (23 last season)

It’s not just statistics with Ovie. Other things will happen, both good and bad. Here’s what we think:

He’ll get a five-game suspension for a ‘dirty’ hit

He’ll have to fight a player in retaliation for that hit (with fights by Matt Bradley and DJ King following his fight)

He’ll flash the HBO cameras

He’ll be criticized for his behavior on HBO, and Caps bloggers will jump to his defense